The EBRD in Egypt – analysis of the Bank’s first year
Jan 24, 2014
We have published a summary briefing analysing the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development’s first year of lending in Egypt. The bank remains resolutely committed to directing its funds towards oil extraction, agribusiness and the power sector. Only 4.7% of loans are destined for small & medium-sized enterprises, and 0% to renewable energy projects.
Intro to “Rich Seams or Dark Pools? Fossil Fuel Funding and University Research”
Jan 24, 2014
This was the introduction given to an event at UCL in January 2014 entitled Rich Seams or Dark Pools? Fossil Fuel Funding and University Research, reproduced here with the kind permission of Professor Jane Rendell. Thank you for coming and to those of you presenting ideas for agreeing to do so. My name is Jane...
Court rules against Alaska Arctic drilling
Jan 23, 2014
Yesterday a coalition of Alaska Native and environmental groups won against Arctic oil drilling in a Court of Appeals in the US. The Court ruled that the US government sold leases in the Chukchi Sea in 2008 illegally. Here’s a quick review of the history of the case and what the decision might mean. What...
Rich seams or dark pools? UCL and BHP Billiton
Jan 22, 2014
Last week we took part in an interesting afternoon of discussion at UCL called Rich Seams or Dark Pools? Fossil Fuel Funding and Research. The event was following in the wake of an internal controversy within UCL over Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton giving US $10 million to fund two new research bodies: the Institute...
The dream of America – a family history of mining and migration
Jan 21, 2014
Mika Minio-Paluello, Anna Galkina and James Marriott travelled in North America as part of a tour over September and October to promote The Oil Road – Journeys from the Caspian to the City of London. The ninth of a series of blogs on the journey comes from Pennsylvania… Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Long hours under rough blankets....
As Shell issues profit warning, new CEO needs a change of Arctic direction
Jan 17, 2014
At 07.00 this morning Shell issued a profit warning. Just twelve working days since taking up his post as new CEO of Shell, Ben van Beurden has had to say “Our 2013 performance was not what I expect from Shell”. The company made $27.2bn in 2012, it looks likely to make only $16.8bn in 2013 – this...
The Arctic in New York – shareholders scrutinise Shell’s next move
Jan 5, 2014
Mika Minio-Paluello, Anna Galkina and James Marriott travelled in North America as part of a tour over September and October to promote The Oil Road – Journeys from the Caspian to the City of London. The eighth of a series of blogs on the journey comes from New York… It was Maurice Bridgeman who really...
Gulf Coast Residents Urge David Cameron to Withdraw UK Support For BP
Dec 22, 2013
Gulf Coast residents have sent a letter (full text below) to David Cameron, urging the UK to withdraw a statement of support recently submitted to a US court on behalf of oil giant BP. In November 2012, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) banned BP from participating in new federal contracts due to a...
Support Political Art in Azerbaijan
Dec 19, 2013
Art for Democracy website – for human rights in Azerbaijan from epitype on Vimeo. Support Art for Democracy here. Dictatorships, like the Aliyev regime in Azerbaijan, don’t just rely on violence, intimidation and fossil fuels to secure their power. They also need a ‘social license to operate’, especially in other countries like the UK. Our...
Will Hague prioritize “gas grabbing” over human rights in Azerbaijan visit?
Dec 17, 2013
Today Foreign Secretary William Hague will be one of the first European politicians to visit Azerbaijan after Ilham Aliyev’s internationally condemned re-election as President. Hague will be there to attend the ceremony for the signing of a pipeline agreement that will see two trillion cubic meters of gas pumped from Azerbaijan to Europe. Hague will...
Protest in London today in solidarity with Kazakhstan oil workers
Dec 16, 2013
Oil industry trade unionists and other campaigners in London today demanded that UK foreign secretary William Hague put pressure on Kazakhstan to release workers jailed for their part in a seven-month strike in 2011. Campaigners handed in a letter at the Foreign Office, and then demonstrated at the Kazakh embassy. The protest marked the second...
Statoil ends music sponsorship after growing controversy in Norway
Dec 16, 2013
Ragnhild Freng Dale reports on an important development in anti-oil sponsorship campaigning in Norway. October 2013 marked an important milestone for the Norwegian artists fighting the oil sponsorship of the arts in their country: Statoil ended their longstanding Bylarm-sponsorship for pop and rock music. Stretching six years back in time, Statoil and ByLarm have collaborated...
